Global Research Trends in Pediatric Space Maintainers: A Bibliometric Analysis of Web of Science Literature.

Background Premature loss of primary teeth may lead to arch length reduction, space loss, and malocclusion in children, and space maintainers play an important role in preserving dental arch integrity during the mixed dentition period. Digital workflows, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies have increasingly influenced pediatric space-maintainer design and fabrication. This study aimed to map global research trends in space-maintainer research in pediatric dentistry, identify the principal contributing countries, authors, and journals, and characterize the temporal and thematic development of digital fabrication-related topics, particularly 3D printing and CAD/CAM, within this field. Methods A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection database, including articles and reviews on space maintainers and pediatric dentistry published from the database inception to 17 June 2026. Bibliometric indicators -annual production, leading countries, productive authors, core journals, keyword co-occurrence networks, and trend topics -were analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software. Results A total of 221 publications specifically addressing space-maintainer appliances met the inclusion criteria. Scientific production remained limited until the mid-1990s but increased markedly after 2019, reaching its highest annual output in 2021. India was the most productive country, followed by Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five thematic clusters, with "space maintainer," "pediatric dentistry," and "premature loss" as the most frequently occurring keywords. Trend analysis showed increasing prominence of "3D printing" and "CAD/CAM"-related terms since 2021, with digital fabrication terms appearing within the core and appliance-specific thematic clusters. Conclusions Research on space maintainers in pediatric dentistry has expanded considerably over the last decade. The increasing visibility of 3D printing and CAD/CAM technologies indicates an emerging digital research direction toward more patient-specific space-maintainer fabrication. Future clinical trials and long-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness, durability, and clinical performance of digitally manufactured space maintainers.